Northam Preview, 21st June

Chris Nelson | Country Racing | Wed 20 June, 2012

Ten races at Northam today, with a very early start of 10.50am, punters will still be downing breakfast and a morning coffee when we kick off today. Seven maiden races make it hard for punters to pinpoint a lot of winners, it may be a case of pick and choose a few today and leave the rest alone.

Race 1 - Regional Assistance Fund Maiden- 1100metres

A two year old maiden to start the days racing today, not a great deal of form exposed but by the looks of it a couple of promising youngsters engaged here. Princess Caraboo started quite short at her race debut on the strength of her trial win back in November, and had many excuses that day. She was then spelled and has only been seen since at trials a couple of months ago when she blitzed the field that day, winning by nearly four lengths. We will have to take her on trust today but she has certainly shown enough in trials to suggest she is well above average, so she will be the selection in this opening event. Handful Of Dust improved markedly last start when a close fourth to Dueton at Belmont and if reproducing that run will also be very hard to beat here, her only other run was last to Garance at Belmont in May, but that was also in a far stronger field than this. Classic Time has shown something in trials for trainer Tony Noonan and with a good barrier draw, can run a good race here at his first race start, and one that has had a little race experience is Hickory Stick for the Parnham stable, she may also make her presence felt today.

Numbers- 9-6-2-8

Suggested Bet- 9- Princess Caraboo- Win

Race 2- Radiowests Give Me 5 For Kids Maiden- 1100metres

Probably best to leave this race alone, after all we have a ten event card today, but if you are thinking of a small investment possibly Society Mak may be one to have an interest in. This Balmont filly has been killing them in trials, her only race start she returned to scale lame, so we can discount that run. I don’t like the outside barrier at all, but if she can get into some sort of striking position from out there, she may just give you a run for your money. Another first up today is Brave Prince, he has also shown ability in trials and is drawn quite well for the strong Grant Williams stable, may pay to have a look at this colt also. Hoonich had his first race start when wide throughout in She Bares All’s race a few weeks ago, much better suited from barrier three today, and another from trials in Celebrity Fix may also go reasonably well at her race debut here.

Numbers- 12-3-1-6

Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 3- Give Me 5 For Kids Running Of The Brides Maiden- 1100metres

Quite a few of these have had race starts and most are yet to "trouble the scorer" as they say in cricket. One that does have good maiden form is Really Sleek and he gets his chance to break the duck this afternoon. The barrier draw out pretty wide at the 1100metre start is probably the biggest factor against him, but he really does look to have an edge in class on his rivals at present. Jarrad Noske retains the mount after riding him to a close second to Not So Sweet here on Jun 4, certainly that is good enough form to be very hard to beat here. On Cloud Nine may be the main danger today, he has improved steadily over his three race starts, culminating in a last start third to Flying Lord at this track three weeks ago, has a nice draw so should be worth considering on that last effort. Fine Equity has run some reasonable races at his five race starts and may run into the placings today, as for the rest its very hard to recommend anything, maybe Tall Story at good odds for novelty punters, he improved out of his skin at his last trial winning by over six lengths.

Numbers- 1-2-3-15

Suggested Bet- 1- Really Sleek- Win

Race 4- Give Me 5 For Kids Decades Disco Maiden- 1100metres

A capacity field to contest this race, the fourth straight race over the 1100metres today. One that stands out on recent form is Big Clint, his last two efforts as runner up behind Lets Lighten Up and Secret Ruler at Belmont should really see him winning this race, there is very little form exposed from his opposition here. The perfect draw in barrier three in the big field, and the 2kgs claim for Smokin Jo Azzopardi are further pointers to this Lonhro gelding being extremely hard to beat here. One starting first up today is In His Hands for the David Harrison stable, he did win a Lark Hill trial a couple of weeks ago and may go well at his first race start. De Lady’s Man is another that has shown promise in trials for Bunbury trainer Paul Roberts, has the services of top hoop Shaun O’Donnell here and may also run a forward race in this, and Theatron has been just behind the placegetters of late, has a terrible barrier draw but with the race experience may be around the skinny end of the placings in this.

Numbers- 1-6-5-2

Suggested Bet- 1- Big Clint- Win

Race 5- Frenchy’s Live For 55 For Give Me 5 For Kids Maiden- 1000metres

Another maximum field here over the 1000metre scamper, so anything could happen. However Sass’N’Smile has put some sort of writing on the wall at his three starts this campaign, with two minor placings to suggest he will certainly be one of the major chances in this race today. He has drawn very nicely, something that may prove important in this race with such a big field over the sprint journey, and has Jason Whiting on board, he will be the on top selection today. Northern Gateway did run some good races during his last campaign including a very meritorious second to Sky Balloon at this track in November, he has shown enough to suggest he will also play a part in the finish today. Possibly the race fitness of Sass’N’Smile will prove the difference this afternoon, both look to have good prospects in this race. Lakeview Magic won a trial by nearly six lengths last week and with a good draw also, looks like she may make her presence felt at her first race start for trainer Bruce Kay, and another that has performed fairly well in maiden company is Ima Cougar, she has run a couple of placings in her last three starts, still a maiden after thirteen starts though. Another looking to break a very long run of outs is Lunar Ice, a good second to Azza at Pinjarra two weeks ago, but still waiting to break the ice after thirty two starts.

Numbers- 4-2-15-12

Suggested Bet- 4- Sass’N’Smile- Win

Race 6- Dig Deep For Give Me 5 For Kids Maiden- 1400metres

As difficult as you will find any maiden here, another huge field over the 1400metres, and really very little form to recommend any of these. Forced into a selection I will go for Master Robson, he is still to win after thirteen starts, but his last two efforts have been fair at least, a pretty good third to Tossa Dante at this track on Jun4 followed by an unlucky sixth to Two Fish Heads at Pinjarra last week, he has drawn very well and has Shaun O’Donnell on board today, you cant say he doesn’t get his best chance of breaking maiden status this afternoon. Heavy Set ran a much improved race last start in the same race behind Two Fish Heads so we will follow the form link from that race and tip him as the main danger, he hasn’t drawn quite as well as Master Robson, so we will tip him for second here. Ambers Cove may run a reasonable race for trainer Robyn Lockwood second up this afternoon, and Five Fields ran her best race at her last outing also, but all in all a very tough race, probably best to stay out of it.

Numbers- 3-4-12-15

Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 7- Wake Up With Frenchy Maiden- 1400metres

Our seventh maiden for the afternoon, yes that’s seventh, and it has brought together another huge field, however we may be able to at least narrow this one down a little. Wecansay Mak ran a terrific race at Pinjarra two weeks ago when nearly leading all the way over the 1400metres at Pinjarra, she was shaded by a promising horse in Great Success that afternoon and should strip fitter here today. Ideally drawn in barrier four, which will be important all afternoon with the bigger fields engaged, she should once again race in a forward position and might prove very hard to beat here. Barge Thru ran a creditable fifth to Two Fish Heads last week at Pinjarra, is also nicely drawn and could also run a good race here. His previous form was acceptable, he may not take too long to break out of maiden company. Another racing reasonably consistently is Rubitorio, she has run one placing from six starts and may improve on that record today, and a maddie may be the ex Victorian Have A Dream, he did have three runs on some of the bigger Victorian country tracks last year finishing not too far from the winners in those races.

Numbers- 11-6-12-4

Suggested Bet- 11- Wecansay Mak- Win

Race 8- www.givemefiveforkids.com.au Handicap- 1400metres

Dual City ran a good first up third to Secret Ruler at Belmont at her first run back from a spell last week and if living up to that form must be hard to beat here. Her efforts previous to being spelled were also meritorious, she ran two minor placings in January, has the 2kg claim for apprentice Jo Azzopardi, bringing her in well on weights on this race, and the perfect draw at the 1400metre start, all good pointers to a really good showing today. You Want Suma Dis also raced well at Belmont last start when third to Operational, and if he lives up to that form he must also come into calculations here. One that has been running really well of late is Daly Hennessy, she ran three consecutive placings before last start when sixth here on WA Day, when she raced wide throughout in a stronger field than this, she just might break through for an overdue win shortly. One at odds that may be running on first up is Dark Future, better known over longer journeys, but may just sprint well while fresh.

Numbers- 1-8-9-4

Suggested Bet 1- Dual City- Win

Race 9- Radiowest 864AM Handicap- 1600metres

Long Tan Lady is a Northam specialist having been in the money eight times from ten trips around this circuit. Today she makes her return to Northam and just may improve markedly on her last couple of efforts, indeed her last effort when sixth to Counter Offer at Belmont beaten just under three lengths gave every indication she was approaching her best form and we will tip he on top here on an each way basis. She can hopefully get off the fence from the inside barrier draw and prove hard to beat at the end of this race. Shaun O’Donnell may cap off a nice day with another good ride in this event. Bentonian ran a good race last week when third to November Red, that following a fourth to Doutable here at the WA Day meeting, he may have struck his best form now and be right in this race today. Light Blitz was a surprise winner last start here at Northam, the trainer indicated she would go a lot better as the distances increase and she is also one to look out for again this afternoon. Deportment has been a little disappointing of late, however those performances were is stronger company and she may go a little better in this field today.

Numbers- 9-6-13-7

Suggested Bet 9- Long Tan Lady- Each Way

Race 10- Radiowest The Local You Know Handicap- 1300metres

The final event of the day is typical of the afternoon, a very open race to finish a long day of racing. Maybe the omen tip here is Lovetherain after the recent inclement weather conditions. This True Lover gelding won well here at his last start on Jun 4 when sprinting home strongly over the 1100metre journey, so will definitely appreciate the extra 200metres today. Brad Parnham stays on board this afternoon, he has a very nice draw at the 1300metre start, and has won two races at this track, so we will go for him to continue his winning form here. Digital Blackout ran in much steeper company last start at Belmont behind Counter Offer so probably best to go on her second to Flashy Doll at Ascot at her previous start, she should be in the firing line here today. Panaster Boy may start at pretty good odds here, he is up from Albany where his form is reasonable, and he may just run a good race here today. Best of the rest appears to be Margaret Street, she has also been up against better fields than this of late, is drawn poorly but may be around the place at the end of this event today.

Numbers- 8-2-9-3

Suggested Bet 8- Lovetherain- Each Way

Best Bet-
Race 1 No 9 Princess Caraboo
Race 4 No 1 Big Clint
Race 8 No 1 Dual City